1) Region (There are a ton of different geographical areas in NYC you can choose....will usually be around midtown)2) Star Level (This is how you can ensure you get a certain star level if your bid is approved. When we got the Hilton, we were on four stars)3) Dates you want to stay.4) Price

That's it. Either your bid will get accepted or rejected. The only caveat is that you can't do the exact same region/star level combo more than once, but with a place like NYC, your options are endless. We use Priceline on just about every trip, and it's incredible how much more bang we get for our buck rather than paying full price.

And sure, if your bid is accepted, you won't know where you are staying until your credit card is charged. But that's the point of selecting a minimum star level...you can be pretty sure it will be a Marriott or nicer.

Letang Is The Truth wrote:so if i go and bid 50 bucks on a 5 star hotel, if it gets rejected, i can just resubmit? is there a period the bidding is open or is it first come first serve? are you locked in once it is accepted?

You can resubmit, but bear in mind that you can't resubmit the exact same bid (i.e. 5 star, same region you selected before).

The bidding is pretty much always open, I have never had issues with that.

You are locked in once it is accepted, hence where the flexibility comes in. If you don't mind the possibility of staying in several different higher-end hotels, then it is no big deal. You can do 4, 3.5, and 3 stars....I would advise trying them all separately. And keep in mind, those are minimum levels, too.

I would also add, be reasonable. It will tell you when you type in your bid if it has little or no chance of being accepted. Look for a discount, but don't go overboard and waste a bid on an unreasonably low price.

Letang Is The Truth wrote:so if i went 5 star in times square and put like 200 bucks (median is 500 something) it would likely get rejected, and i would not be able to bid on a 5 star times square again?

You can change the location to somewhere other than Times Square. If that new location doesn't have a 5 star hotel listed, you would be bidding on the 5* Times Square again.

Letang Is The Truth wrote:so if i went 5 star in times square and put like 200 bucks (median is 500 something) it would likely get rejected, and i would not be able to bid on a 5 star times square again?

Correct, and I believe the span is 24 hours.

My recommendation (I am on the website right now), would be to maybe start at the ultimate, ideal level (5 star, Times Square). Then, if that is rejected, perhaps add 4 star. Then, if that is rejected, maybe add either Midtown East or Midtown West. Basically add one thing at a time. Looking at Midtown East, I notice the "median" is $315 for a four star. I would say a bid at like 160 or 170 would be solid there.

so riddle me this: if you click on 5 star times square you can see the amenities. if i filter by the amenities and the location, is it safe to assume that the 1 or 2 that show up are the hotels i am bidding on?

Letang Is The Truth wrote:so riddle me this: if you click on 5 star times square you can see the amenities. if i filter by the amenities and the location, is it safe to assume that the 1 or 2 that show up are the hotels i am bidding on?

Most of the time when I use Priceline, it centers often around the same groups of hotels. Hilton, Marriott, Westin, Sheraton...your typical big names. It all depends on what is in the area (the examples that show up may be what you get, but aren't always)

Yeah, there is virtually zero risk in my experience using Priceline. The only "risk" is that you stay in one three-star hotel (for example) as opposed to another. When we go into it, I could care less what specific hotel I get because I know I am getting a minimum standard. It's not like "Oh crap, I wanted the Hilton but I got the Econo Lodge instead!"

We kind of have fun with it, it's a surprise where specifically you are going to stay, then you can check out the place. I've never had a bad experience using it.

I think the reason people don't use it is because they don't get it, or think it's a lot riskier than it actually is. I also think the fact your CC is charged before they show you where you are staying terrifies people, but really...it's not a big deal. We have probably used it a few dozen times.

Letang Is The Truth wrote:well you arent really risking anything since you pick your neighborhood and your price strata?

In places like NYC no, there isn't much risk with regards to location. But in places where the locations arent so concentrated you can put in for say a 4 star and hope you get one hotel but end up getting a hotel like 2 miles away.